Investigators said Victor Juan Martinez, a two-time Emmy nominated journalist, flashed a fake police badge at a man in an attempt to scare him after following him home in February.

"The victim felt in fear for his life," said Osceola County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Twis Lizasuain. "When [Martinez] got out of his car and reached into his coat, the victim didn't know if he was implying a weapon."

Reports show Martinez, 33, denied the allegations, because "he was a news anchor and working that day," sheriff's deputies said. However, a check of his E-Pass transponder records tracked him near the victim's home at the time of the incident.

Martinez's supervisors at Central Florida News 13 also confirmed to deputies he was not at work at that time.

"We are evaluating the situation and he will be off the air starting today," said general manager Robin Smythe.

Detectives began investigating the allegations against Martinez after the victim alerted them of the incident on Feb. 15.

Lizasuain said the victim had seen Martinez swerving in and out of traffic on State Road 417 in Orange County. At some point, Martinez tried merging into the victim's lane, but couldn't make it and was forced to merge after the victim had passed him.

"Apparently that angered Martinez," Lizasuain said.

When the victim arrived home with his toddler and pulled into his driveway, he spotted Martinez's car suddenly drive behind him and partially block him.

"[Martinez] got out of his car and told the victim he was a police officer," Lizasuain said. Martinez then flashed a badge that resembled a star-shaped badge and said he knew where the victim lived and had his auto tag number.

Martinez then jumped into his car and sped away.

The victim later identified Martinez in a photo lineup. He was arrested Friday at his home on an arrest warrant. Deputies booked him into the Osceola County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

"Martinez was a volunteer with the Orange County Sheriff's Office and was given credentials that might resemble a badge," the arrest report shows. "Martinez told detectives he currently volunteers with the City of Orlando's Police Department."

OPD's Sgt. Barbara Jones said Martinez is no longer associated with the agency.

"[Martinez] was a citizen who wanted to participate in making Orlando safer," she said. Recently, "he was told his volunteer services were no longer needed at OPD."

He was required to turn over his department-issued equipment, including a civilian uniform and a department-issued identification card that was clearly labeled "Volunteer" at the top, Jones said.

As part of the program, Martinez was required to pass a background check, take a polygraph test and have his fingerprints taken.

His professional profile on Central Florida News 13's Website states Martinez began his broadcast career in local Spanish radio at 13. He became the youngest program director in the United States at 19 and his talent was later recognized by a radio-industry magazine.

Martinez, who started working at Central Florida News 13's en Español in 2007, has worked in broadcast news and radio in Philadelphia, New York, Atlanta and Houston.

Bianca Prieto of the Sentinel staff contributed to this story. Walter Pacheco can be reached at wpacheco@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-6262.